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Cheryl Bissett from McCarthy and Stone has answered your questions about retirement living and planning

(206 Posts)
JustineBGransnet (GNHQ) Mon 09-Nov-20 10:09:13

Retirement communities provide support, safety and most importantly, friendship to those who live there. Cheryl Bissett is divisional Sales Director at McCarthy & Stone and also helped her 84 year-old mother Isobel move into a McCarthy & Stone development in 2017. After settling into Cranberry Court, Isobel’s social life has blossomed; spending time with her neighbours at coffee mornings, book clubs and film nights.

The community wasn’t halted by the pandemic and Cheryl gained peace of mind knowing that her mother had people around her for company and to reach out a helping hand if needed. With this in mind, Cheryl would like to use her experience to help answer your questions around retirement living and planning.

Here’s what McCarthy & Stone have to say: “With more than 40 years of experience in designing, creating and managing thriving communities, a McCarthy & Stone apartment gives you much more than a lovely home. It gives you access to a vibrant, caring and supportive community of friends and neighbours.

Here’s more about Cheryl Bissett: “Cheryl is Senior Divisional Sales & Marketing Director and has worked for McCarthy & Stone for over 5 years.
Cheryl is extremely passionate about what McCarthy & Stone offer to our retirement community, so much so Cheryl’s mother downsized into a McCarthy & Stone apartment at Cranberry Court.
McCarthy & Stone have made a huge difference to Cheryl and her family as her mum was once isolated and lonely and now has a whole host of new friends and a fabulous social life.”

Perhaps you’ve considered buying or renting a property in a retirement living community and want to find out more about it? Or have a family member that wants to find out more about retirement living in general and how best to plan for it? Post your question on this thread and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky GNer will win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

We’ll be selecting questions for Cheryl to answer during a one-hour session that’s taking place on 30/11

Thanks and good luck!

GNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

AliBeeee Fri 13-Nov-20 10:44:36

I’d also like to know about resale. Do you have to sell back to McCarthy & Stone?

GrannyMary1 Fri 13-Nov-20 10:52:10

Where are your homes? Do you have any in Scotland?

Froglady Fri 13-Nov-20 10:58:10

What happens about noisy neighbours? Some years ago my Mum had a studio flat in a complex of about 40 flats. When I used to go and stay with her I was astounded about the level of noise from various flats - this noise was all down to residents have their TVs, music centres at very loud levels (presumably they didn't have hearing aids as they didn't think they needed them) and I knew that I could never live in a scheme like that as the noise would drive me up the wall. Would there be anything done about tenants/owners like that please?

chrissie13 Fri 13-Nov-20 11:00:05

Can you get wifi and Sky TV in the apartments?

Applegran Fri 13-Nov-20 11:01:21

I visited a luxurious retirement home - more of a village really. Everything was done to a high standard. I could't wait to leave! But I guess that was just my personal reaponse - I am at the moment more than able to live independetly with Mr Apple and hope to do that till I die. I think different things will work for different people.

Applegran Fri 13-Nov-20 11:06:32

I lost the last part of my post - which was to ask if there are retirment villages aimed at people who are active in mind and body, though getting older, and where the residents take the major decisions together about their communities?

theresacoo Fri 13-Nov-20 11:07:27

How can Mcarthy and Stone help with on going care needs as they change?
Things like mobility or dementia?
Thank you

Coco51 Fri 13-Nov-20 11:16:14

Too regimented for me. I want my home and I want to sell it to whomever I please

craftygran Fri 13-Nov-20 11:18:54

We have no savings and live in state pension. We live in rented accommodation claiming full housing benefit. I would love to live in one of your retirement villages but the costs seem very high and I can't see how I would ever be able to afford the service charge.

NannanTo4 Fri 13-Nov-20 11:19:42

Doesn’t do it for me. It brings to mind ‘waiting room’ for the final journey!!

Jillybird Fri 13-Nov-20 11:24:47

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vickya Fri 13-Nov-20 11:38:27

I know someone who had a flat in a home like this. There was a resident warden who had a key to all flats and had to inspect them weekly, as a safety thing., When the person was away on holiday he had to do this anyway, so she had someone going in unobserved. Does this happen in M&S homes?

Aepgirl Fri 13-Nov-20 11:39:36

I had a ‘try before you buy’ overnight stay in a McCarthy Stone development. The accommodation was wonderful and I was made very welcome. However, the residents that I met didn’t know that I was ‘snooping’, and I didn’t tell them, and I gathered all sorts of information that made me very sure that I would never live in sheltered accommodation. It was an eye-opener.

cc Fri 13-Nov-20 11:47:59

I'd also be keen to know the cost of the service charges and other ongoing charges.
Do your company take a proportion of the price when the property is sold?

teepee55 Fri 13-Nov-20 12:10:38

Can rent and I try out an apartment to live in for a month?

Chino Fri 13-Nov-20 12:29:52

My husband and I live in a retirement apartment and are very happy here. There is plenty of space for us both, a nice view from the window and only 5 minutes walk from the town centre.

sharkgirl Fri 13-Nov-20 12:33:06

Are there any "rules" such as how many cars you can park and where, do you have a personal designated space, is it a free for all or are you limited to one car and one space per property? What happens if you have visitors and they can't park and is visitor parking time limited? 2nd question. Do you have an area of private open space available with the property to cultivate personally?

50socks Fri 13-Nov-20 13:16:05

i downsized 2 years ago to a flat mainly due to ill health, our block of 8 is a mix of retired people who cannot afford bungalows or retirement living and young professionals, its a good balance, We have a whats app and help is just a message away

libra10 Fri 13-Nov-20 13:31:25

I have a couple of questions.

If considering McCarthy & Stone (or similar styles of retirement living), can you keep your pet living with you?

Also, I'm presuming that the apartments are lease-hold, am concerned about potential lease-hold and service costs rising annually. It would be helpful if Cheryl Bissett could comment on this.

Rozzy Fri 13-Nov-20 13:36:34

Can an apartment be left in a will to a member of the family?

janipans Fri 13-Nov-20 13:37:00

Do any of the villages have gyms and swimming pools and perhaps spa/medical treatment rooms for visiting therapists?

AR2127 Fri 13-Nov-20 13:49:50

What's the average price for buy in and living costs per year?

glennamy Fri 13-Nov-20 13:56:13

Are there service costs? What are the rules upon leaving if you want to do so?

hawkeye Fri 13-Nov-20 13:59:19

When should I start planning for the possibility if moving to retirement living?

boodymum67 Fri 13-Nov-20 13:59:52

Is it possible to part ex my bungalow for an apartment?